The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country to meet the educational needs of the growing number of Central Government employees’ wards.

The initiative, with an estimated outlay of ₹5,862.55 crore over nine years from 2026-27, includes ₹2,585.52 crore for capital expenditure and ₹3,277.03 crore for operational costs. For the first time, these schools will house Balvatikas – a three-year foundational stage (pre-primary) in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Currently, 1,288 KVs serve about 13.62 lakh students, including three located abroad. The new institutions will extend coverage to 17 states and union territories, targeting underserved regions such as 20 districts without existing KVs, 14 aspirational districts, four Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts, and five in the North-East and hilly areas.

Each full-fledged KV, from Balvatika to Class XII, accommodates 1,520 students and employs 81 staff. The expansion will create 4,617 direct permanent jobs and benefit around 86,640 students, with additional employment opportunities generated through construction and allied activities.

Seven of the new schools will be sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs and 50 by state and UT authorities. Meanwhile, 913 existing KVs have already been designated as PM Shri schools, serving as model institutions for quality pedagogy and modern infrastructure.

The latest expansion underscores the government’s commitment to improving access to quality schooling and advancing NEP 2020’s vision of equitable, inclusive, and future-ready education.

Inputs from DD News

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